Begonia plant named ‘BRXPE11’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Begonia rex cultorum  cultivar named ‘BRXPE11’ is disclosed, characterized by bright foliage with a metallic sheet, and vigorous year round growth, including during the dark winter months. The new variety is a  Begonia , and is normally used as an ornamental plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Begonia rex cultorum.

Variety denomination: ‘BRXPE11’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program. The newvariety originated as the result of a crossing performed in 2008 of theunpatented seed parent variety Begonia rex cultorum ‘Lalome’ with thepollen parent, the unpatented variety Begonia rex cultorum ‘Red Rocket.’The new variety was discovered by the inventor, Gary Crook, a citizen ofthe United States, at a commercial greenhouse in Scotts Mills, Oreg.during 2008, among a planting of seedlings resulting from the previouslymentioned crossing.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘BRXPE11’ was first performedin Scotts Mills, Oreg. in 2009, by vegetative leaf cuttings. ‘BRXPE11’has since produced several generations by vegetative leaf cuttings andhas shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable andreproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘BRXPE11’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘BRXPE11.’ These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘BRXPE11’ as a new and distinct Begonia rexcultorum cultivar:

-   -   1. Bright, metallic looking foliage colored silver and magenta.    -   2. Vigorous, year round growth.    -   3. Unique rapid growth habit at lower temperatures.    -   4. Flexible petioles, resisting breakage.    -   5. Medium sized leaf, for this category of Rex Begonia.

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘BRXPE11’ are similar to plants of the seedparent variety, Begonia rex cultorum ‘Lalome’ in most horticulturalcharacteristics. However, plants of the new cultivar ‘BRXPE11’ producefoliage that is magenta and silver green colored, whereas ‘Lalome’produces a lavender colored foliage. Additionally, the new varietyproduces leaves that are 20-25% smaller than ‘Lalome’ and shorterpetioles as well.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘BRXPE11’ are similar to plants of the pollenparent variety, Begonia rex cultorum ‘Red Rocket’ in most horticulturalcharacteristics. However, plants of the new cultivar ‘BRXPE11’ producefoliage that is silver green and magenta colored, whereas ‘Red Rocket’produces red and black colored foliage. Additionally, the new varietyproduces leaves that are 20-25% smaller than ‘Red Rocket.’ Additionaldifferences are that ‘Red Rocket’ has brittle petioles that are prone tobreakage, while ‘BRXPE11’ produces flexible petioles, and ‘BRWCA17’continues to grow during the short days of winter, while ‘Red Rocket’stops growing during short days.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘BRXPE11’ are similar to plants of theunpatented commercial variety, Begonia rex hybrid ‘Merry Christmas’ inmost horticultural characteristics. However, plants of the new cultivar‘BRXPE11’ grow faster, both under winter and summer conditions.Specifically, ‘BRXPE11’ can be commercially finished 2 weeks fasterunder summer conditions, and 4 weeks faster under winter conditions than‘Merry Christmas.’ Additionally the new variety grows significantlyfaster under lower night temperatures, and produces a fuller, bushierplant under winter conditions than ‘Marvelous.’

Plants of the new cultivar ‘BRXPE11’ are similar to plants of theunpatented commercial variety, Begonia rex cultorum ‘Marvelous’ in mosthorticultural characteristics. However, plants of the new cultivar‘BRXPE11’ grow faster, both under winter and summer conditions.Specifically, ‘BRXPE11’ can be commercially finished 2 weeks fasterunder summer conditions, and 4 weeks faster under winter conditions than‘Marvelous.’ Additionally the new variety grows significantly fasterunder lower night temperatures, and produces a fuller, bushier plantunder winter conditions than ‘Marvelous.’

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color atypical plant of ‘BRXPE11’ grown in a greenhouse. The pot size is acommercial 6 inch pot. The plant shown is approximately 6 months old.The photograph was taken using conventional techniques and althoughcolors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectanceit is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe ‘BRXPE11’ plants grown in a commercialcontrolled greenhouse in Oxnard, Calif. Temperatures ranged from 15° C.to 28° C. during the day and 18° C. to 22° C. at night No artificiallight, photoperiodic treatments or chemical treatments were given to theplants. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typicalplant types.

-   Botanical classification: Begonia rex cultorum ‘BRXPE11’-   Age of plant described: Approximately 6 months.-   Container size of plant described: 6 inch pot.

PROPAGATION

-   Type of propagation typically used: Vegetative leaf cuttings.-   Time to roots: About 25 days at approximately 20° C.-   Root description: Dense and fibrous.

PLANT

-   Growth habit: Upright growing, fleshy annual.-   Pot size of plant described: 6 inch.-   Height: Approximately 29 cm.-   Plant spread: Approximately 47 cm.-   Growth rate: Rapid.-   Branching characteristics: Basally emerging foliage, no actual    branches, only petioles.

FOLIAGE

-   -   -   Type.—Single, basally emerging foliage and long petioles.        -   Orientation.—Outwardly or upwardly facing foliage.            Approximately 75° to 90° angle from petiole.        -   Strength.—Very strong, and flexible, resists breakage.        -   Texture, top surface.—Rugulose, with infrequently occurring,            very fine, appressed hairs, approximately 0.3 to 0.4 cm in            length and colored near RHS White N155A.        -   Texture lower surface.—Rugulose. Main surface non-pubescent,            veins mildly pilose. Hairs approximately 0.1 cm long,            colored near RHS White N155C.        -   Appearance.—Metallic and leathery appearance to upper            surface. Lower surface leathery, matte.        -   Quantity.—Approximately 12 fully expanded mature leaves and            approximately 12 immature leaves.        -   Shape of blade.—Reniform.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Base.—Cordate, asymmetrical.        -   Margin.—Dentate. Shallow, acute lobes.        -   Aspect.—Recurved.

-   Mature leaves:    -   -   Average length.—Approximately 18 to 20 cm.        -   Average width.—Approximately 12 cm.        -   Color.—Mature foliage upper side: Beginning near petiole            attachment, width of approximately 1 cm: RHS Greyed-Green            N189A, speckles of Greyed-Purple 187A. Next section,            approximately 2 cm, Greyed-Purple 187B with irregular lines            near Greyed-Purple N187A. Next section, approximately 2 cm,            Greyed-Green 193A with irregular lines near Green 137A.            Margin, approximately 1 to 1.5 cm from edge, Greyed-Purple            187B with irregular lines of Greyed-Purple N186B. Mature            foliage under side: Near petiole attachment: RHS            Greyed-Purple 187A. Mid section Green 138B, flushed            Greyed-Purple 187A near veins. Margin, approximately 1 cm            from leaf edge, Greyed-Purple 187A.        -   Venation.—Type: Palmate. Venation color upper side: From            Petiole attachment to approximately ⅔ length of blade            colored near RHS Greyed-Purple N186A. Outer ⅓ near            Greyed-Green 191A. Venation color under side: Near RHS            Greyed-Green 189A.

-   Immature leaves:    -   -   Average length.—Approximately 12 cm.        -   Average width.—Approximately 8 cm.        -   Color.—Immature foliage upper side: Near petiole attachment:            RHS Greyed-Green N189A, speckles of Greyed-Purple 186C. Mid            section Greyed-Green 191C with thick, irregular lines near            Green 138B. Margin, approximately 0.5 cm from edge,            Greyed-Purple N186B, speckles Greyed-Purple 186A. Immature            foliage under side: Near petiole attachment: RHS            Greyed-Purple 187A. Mid section Green 138B, flushed            Greyed-Purple 187A near veins. Margin, approximately 0.5 cm            from leaf edge, Greyed-Purple 187A.        -   Venation.—Type: Palmate. Venation color upper side: From            Petiole attachment to approximately ⅔ length of blade            colored near RHS Greyed-Purple N187A. Outer ⅓ near            Greyed-Green 191A. Venation color under side: Near RHS            Greyed-Purple 187A.        -   Petiole.—Length: Average Range Approximately 13 cm.            Diameter: Approximately 0.6 cm. Color: Near RHS Greyed-Red            181C. Texture: Pilose. Hairs approximately 0.3 cm long,            colored near RHS White 155C.        -   Stipule description.—Length: Approximately 1.2 cm. Length            includes 0.2 cm awn. Diameter: Approximately 0.7 cm. Apex:            Aristate. Base: Truncate. Color: Near RHS Greyed-Purple            185B, upper and lower. Texture: Upper Surface: Glabrous.            Lower Surface: Very sparsely pilose.

FLOWER

-   Flowering habit: Rarely flowering-   Inflorescence and flower type and habit: Single flowers arranged in    axillary cymes. Cymes held deep under the foliage, approximately 1    or 2 open flowers per cyme. Normally one flower or cyme per plant    open at one time.-   Cyme size(when 2 flowers present):    -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 5.5 cm.        -   Height.—Approximately 5.0 cm.-   Flower longevity on plant: About 2 days.-   Persistent or self-cleaning: Self-Cleaning.-   Bud:    -   -   Shape.—Flattened sphere.        -   Length.—Approximately 1 cm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 1 cm.        -   Color.—Near RHS Greyed-Red 179D. Apex and base near            Yellow-Green 144B.        -   Texture.—Pilose.-   Flower size:    -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 3.4 cm.        -   Depth.—Approximately 1.8 cm.-   Tepals:    -   -   Quantity.—Approximately 5.        -   Arrangement.—Radial.        -   Length.—Approximately 1.8 cm.        -   Width.—Approximately 1.2 cm.        -   Shape.—Oval.        -   Apex.—Obtuse.        -   Base.—Rounded.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Aspect.—Flat.        -   Texture, upper surfaces.—Glabrous.        -   Texture, lower surfaces.—Glabrous.        -   Upper surface appearance.—Shiny.        -   Lower surface appearance.—Matte.        -   Color.—When opening, upper surface: Near RHS White N155C            with flush of Red 54C. When opening, lower surface: Near RHS            Red 54C. Fully opened, upper surface: Near RHS White N155D.            Fully opened, lower surface: Near RHS White N155D. Fading            to, both sides: Near RHS White N155D.-   Flower bracts: Not observed.-   Peduncles:    -   -   Length.—Average Approximately 10 cm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.2 cm.        -   Strength.—Moderate, flexible.        -   Texture.—Glabrous.        -   Appearance.—Matte.        -   Color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 146A.-   Pedicels:    -   -   Length.—Average Approximately 1.5 cm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.1 cm.        -   Angle.—About 15° to the peduncle.        -   Strength.—Moderate, flexible.        -   Texture.—Glabrous.        -   Appearance.—Shiny.        -   Color.—Near RHS Red 54 C near lower end, near Yellow-Green            146C near flower attachment.-   Fragrance: Sweet.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens:    -   -   Number.—Approximately 3.-   Anthers: Description: Heavily ruffled. Length: Approximately 0.4 cm.    Color: Near RHS Yellow 12A. Pollen: Not observed.-   Pistil:    -   -   Number.—1.        -   Length.—Approximately 0.5 cm.        -   Style.—Length: Approximately 0.2 cm. Color: Near RHS            Green-Yellow 1C.        -   Stigma.—Shape: Columnar. Color: Near RHS Green-Yellow 1C.            Ovary Color: RHS Green-Yellow 1C.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Seeds and fruits: Not Observed.-   Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to    diseases or pests has been observed in this variety.-   Temperature tolerance: The new variety tolerates temperatures from    approximately 0° to 35° C.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Begonia plantnamed ‘BRXPE11’ as herein illustrated and described.